Sustainable Logistics
Why is it a natural fit for Huntingdonshire?
Huntingdonshire-based businesses are perfectly supported by the existing cluster of logistics and distribution companies. The transport infrastructure is second to none, being the key intersection of the north-south and east-west axis of road and rail links, including A1(M), A14, M11 and the East Coast Mainline, giving easy access to London, Cambridge, the Midlands and the North.
Access to Transport Network
Huntingdonshire is a key arterial region in the UK given that it sits right on the intersection of major north-south and east-west road and rail routes. A £1.5bn upgrade of the A14 completed in 2020 linking Huntingdon to Cambridge, which has significantly reduced transit times and made access to major cities and ports much quicker. The Eastern seaports are all within easy reach including the UK’s largest container port at Felixstowe handling approximately 40% of the UK’s container trade.
In terms of rail travel, the district is bisected by the East Coast Main Line railway and is served by railway stations at Huntingdon and St Neots providing services south to London St Pancras International and onwards to the South Coast and north to Peterborough where onward connections run north to Edinburgh. The East Coast Main Line is also a critical freight route on the national network and is undergoing one of the biggest programmes of work, by the national infrastructure agency, to meet passenger and freight growth into the future. There are also plans underway to improve the east-west rail axis. East West Rail proposes a new rail route connecting Oxford to Cambridge via Bicester, Bletchley and Bedford.
Access to Market and Labour
Cambridgeshire is one of the fastest growing counties in the UK with its major cities, Cambridge and Peterborough both expanding rapidly. Estimates indicate that Cambridgeshire and Peterborough’s population is forecast to grow by 21.7% between 2020 and 2041, an average increase of 1% per year, with more sustained growth of around 1.5% per year between 2023 and 2030 (source: Cambridgeshire insight). This provides a good opportunity for businesses to locate near these expanding Cities and deploy more sustainable, environmentally-friendly transport solutions for accessing these markets.
Population growth and also proximity to major towns and cities, with good transport links, such as the guided Busway which operates three routes within the district primarily linking Cambridge to St Ives and Huntingdon supplemented by connecting services to Peterborough, provide transport and distribution businesses access to the full range of labour they need – either from within the district or further afield.
Access to Market and Labour
Cambridgeshire is one of the fastest growing counties in the UK with its major cities, Cambridge and Peterborough both expanding rapidly. Estimates indicate that Cambridgeshire and Peterborough’s population is forecast to grow by 21.7% between 2020 and 2041, an average increase of 1% per year, with more sustained growth of around 1.5% per year between 2023 and 2030 (source: Cambridgeshire insight). This provides a good opportunity for businesses to locate near these expanding Cities and deploy more sustainable, environmentally-friendly transport solutions for accessing these markets.
Population growth and also proximity to major towns and cities, with good transport links, such as the guided Busway which operates three routes within the district primarily linking Cambridge to St Ives and Huntingdon supplemented by connecting services to Peterborough, provide transport and distribution businesses access to the full range of labour they need – either from within the district or further afield.
Access to Reasonably Priced Land
There is competitively priced land available, in close proximity to the key transport network in the district, providing companies looking to move their manufacturing and goods operations with the ideal opportunity to base these facilities close to existing logistics and warehousing infrastructure.
As a district we are also committed to a 2040 net zero carbon emissions target. Given transport accounted for 44% of Huntingdonshire’s carbon emissions in 2019, as a community of residents, businesses and other organisations we will need to work together to achieve this target. We are therefore looking to support logistics and distribution operations that have solid sustainability credentials at their core and are looking to embrace new, decarbonised, alternative solutions across their businesses.
Fit with UK Strategy
The UK is looking to take the lead in cutting-edge technology and revolutionary research, leading the race to a net zero economy. The transport and logistics industry is an essential component in nearly every sector the UK government is committed to supporting in the next few decades, moving raw materials, components, outputs, products, technology, people and more. Sustainable logistics is going to crucial in this. The Economic Development Team for Invest in Huntingdonshire are constantly horizon scanning for funding and skills support that can be utilised to support the growth of a greener, more sustainable logistics sector in the region in support of the key sector focus for the UK economy.
Fit with UK Strategy
The UK is looking to take the lead in cutting-edge technology and revolutionary research, leading the race to a net zero economy. The transport and logistics industry is an essential component in nearly every sector the UK government is committed to supporting in the next few decades, moving raw materials, components, outputs, products, technology, people and more. Sustainable logistics is going to crucial in this. The Economic Development Team for Invest in Huntingdonshire are constantly horizon scanning for funding and skills support that can be utilised to support the growth of a greener, more sustainable logistics sector in the region in support of the key sector focus for the UK economy.
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Sustainable Logistics Data & Insights
Proximity to International Port
The international port of Felixstowe, which accounts for 40% of the UK’s container trade, is a 1hr 30minute drive from the district and within 1 tacho (there and back) for road haulage companies.
Rich source of skill
There are already over 1,300 employed in over 400 transport operators in the district. This number is augmented with a rich talent pool from neighbouring cities of Cambridge and Peterborough, both within 30 minute travel time.
Fast growing city markets
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough is home to over 850,000 population, that is rapidly expanding. Locating your business in Huntingdonshire provides central access to the key markets and labour in Cambridge and Peterborough.